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Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets still want Mitch Kupchak, Steve Clifford interview

By Jerry Stephens

PHILADELPHIA,PA - MARCH 19 : Head Coach Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 19, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA - MARCH 19 : Head Coach Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 19, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Welcome to Buzz City Beat, a daily roundup of the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.

The Queen City team has basically been eliminated from the playoffs but on the bright side, they do have a 4% chance of getting a top-3 pick. (FiveThirtyEight.com) In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the Charlotte Hornets still wanting Mitch Kupchak to be their next general manager, Steve Clifford reflecting on the trade deadline rumors about Kemba Walker and Marcus Paige‘s game-winner for the Greensboro Swarm.

Michael Jordan still wants Mitch Kupchak (Marc Stein)

"According to the latest information, Rosas is the most serious candidate of the others interviewed by the Hornets to date. But word is that Jordan has yet to be convinced to move away from his preference to hire his fellow North Carolina alumnus Kupchak."

At this point, it looks like Houston Rockets‘ EVP of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas and former Los Angeles Lakers‘ GM Mitch Kupchak are the two leading candidates for the Hornets’ vacant general manager position. Although it’s still unclear, it looks like Marc Eversley and Adam Simon have dropped out of the running. It’s worth noting that Kupchak has had any conversations with Charlotte yet. (CharlotteObserver.com)

MJ seems to be the leading force in wanting to land Kupchak as Mitch is still atop Jordan’s wish list. Charlotte’s still planning to hire a general manager by the end of the season (mid-April). Stein also said that every aspect of the Hornets’ basketball operations will be under the microscope once a new GM is hired including head coach Steve Clifford’s future with the team.

Steve Clifford talked about trade deadline rumors (BleacherReport.com)

"“I think I was just more proactive with him, just explaining to him that, A, there’s no untradable player. … Go back to NBA history; any player could be traded,” Clifford told Lowe. “But, B, I told him…it would be very difficult to find a scenario where he could be traded."

Charlotte’s head coach mentioned that Hornets’ owner Michael Jordan personally called Kemba to tell him that the team wasn’t looking to trade him. MJ and Clifford both spoke to Walker and helped him through the situation. There were plenty of rumors surrounding the two-time all-star point guard at the trade deadline but in the end, no moves involving Kemba were made.

Coach Clifford explained to Walker that the trade calls from other teams were because “he’s such a good player making less money than he’s worth by a lot.” Steve also added that Kemba handled the situation “great.” Looking ahead, there is a very good chance that the trade rumors around Walker will resurface this summer and if he isn’t traded during that time, then they will come once again next season at the trade deadline. Until he signs an extension, the trade talk will surround Kemba.

Paige’s game-winner lifts Greensboro past Lakers (Gleague.NBA.com)

"Marcus Paige nailed a floater down the lane with 5.4 seconds left to propel the Greensboro Swarm over the South Bay Lakers, 110-108. Paige had eight of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, none bigger than his heroic go-ahead shot to hold off the Lakers."

Next: Hornets players ranked by their college careers

In the Swarm’s final home game of the season, Marcus Paige gave the fans their money’s worth as he knocked down a game-winning shot with only seconds left on the clock. (VIDEO) The victory put an end to Greensboro’s three-game losing streak as they end the year with a 9-16 record at home. Damien Wilkins and John Dawson each scored 19 points in this one while Cat Barber added 17 points.

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